Advice for buyers
What should I look for in a used Mercedes CLK sports?
The Cabriolet is not inherently unreliable but, as on the coupe, there have been some issues.
Build quality is not great, for example, and, in particular, small items of cabin trim coming loose seem common. This was one of the major problems highlighted by owners in the JD Power Survey.
Replacement parts are expensive, too, so be careful if your car is out of warranty. Electric gremlins have also been reported, affecting everything from the lights to the boot release, so don't buy a car unless they all work.
Likewise, the seats can be problematic, so check that all the adjustments work as they should. There have also been cases of the hood mechanism needing to be replaced - a tricky and time-consuming job. Luckily, these seem rare.
Higher-than-expected tyre wear has also been reported, and in some cases they have lasted less than 15,000 miles. So, when you look over any car, check the tread depth and the evenness of wear across the face of the tyre. And, while you're at it, check the finish on the alloy wheels, as some have suffered from peeling and discolouration problems.
